Childhood Favorite: Little Debbie Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

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These Soft Gingerbread Cookies take us back to simpler times. They’re rich in flavor, coated in royal icing, and garnished with festive sprinkles. Just like the Little Debbie treats we adored. The ingredients list is straightforward: it includes flour, ginger, cinnamon, and other common items. The process involves chilling the dough, cutting it into shapes, and baking. Finally, we ice these cookies and sprinkle them with joy. These cookies are great for recalling fond childhood memories.

Making this recipe gives you 28 Gingerbread Men cookies. It’s a quick and easy bake, taking less than 3 hours start to finish. You’ll spend about 45 minutes preparing and just 10 minutes baking. Each cookie has 131 calories and is a mix of delicious tastes and textures. They come with minimal fat and a good balance of sugar and carbs. So, you can enjoy them without too much guilt.

People love this recipe, rating it 4.8 out of 5 stars from 17 votes. It’s the mix of warm spices and the molasses that makes them irresistible. They’re not just cookies; they’re a trip down memory lane, perfect for holidays or with hot cocoa. These gingerbread cookies promise to bring smiles, whether you’re remembering the past or making new memories.

Ingredients and Baking Process

To make soft and yummy Little Debbie-style gingerbread cookies, you’ll need these ingredients:

• 4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon of cloves
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• ¾ cup (12 tablespoons) of unsalted butter
• ¾ cup of packed dark brown sugar
• ⅔ cup of molasses
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract

Now, let’s talk about how to bake them:

1. Start by creaming the butter and sugar together until they’re nice and fluffy.
2. Then, mix in the eggs, molasses, and vanilla extract until everything’s well blended.
3. In another bowl, mix the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
4. Slowly add the dry mix to your butter mixture, stirring until you get a good dough.
5. Split the dough in half, wrap each piece, and chill in the fridge for 2 hours.
6. Before you bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
7. Roll the dough on a floured surface until it’s about ¼-inch thick.
8. Cut the dough with gingerbread men cutters, then bake on a lined sheet.
9. Bake for 10-11 minutes. They should puff up a bit and start to set around the edges.
10. Let the cookies cool down on a rack.

When they’re cooled, you can start the fun part – decorating:

“For amazing icing, just mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. You want it thick and smooth. You can add some food colouring too. Drizzle the icing on the cookies, and add some colourful sprinkles to make them look festive.”

Now, you’re ready to enjoy these tasty gingerbread cookies. They are just right for making special memories during the holidays! The whole process takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes from start to finish.

Tips and Serving Suggestions

Want to make soft gingerbread cookies? Follow these tips and tricks. They will guide you whether you’re just starting or have lots of baking experience. You’ll get delicious results every time.

1. Careful Baking to Maintain Softness

To keep your gingerbread cookies soft, watch your baking time closely. Cookies that bake too long become dry and crispy. Aim for slightly underbaked cookies for a soft bite. When the edges firm up but the middle is puffy, they’re done. They will keep cooking as they cool, hitting that perfect sweet spot.

2. Chilling the Dough for Easier Handling

Let the gingerbread dough chill thoroughly before rolling and cutting. At least 2 hours in the fridge makes it firmer and less sticky. This makes cutting out shapes much easier. Chilled dough also stops the cookies from spreading too much, so they keep their shape better.

3. Rotating Baking Sheets for Even Cooking

If your oven heats unevenly, rotate the baking sheets halfway through. This ensures all cookies cook at the same rate. You’ll avoid some cookies burning while others are just right. It’s a simple trick for even baking.

4. Cooling Before Decorating with Icing

Make sure gingerbread cookies are totally cool before icing them. This stops the icing from melting off. Cooling lets the flavors deepen and the texture firm up. Your gingerbread cookies will look and taste better for it.

5. Storage and Freezing Tips

Store soft gingerbread cookies at room temperature for up to a week. Keep them soft by adding a slice of white bread to the container. The bread absorbs moisture. If you have extras, freeze them. They last in the freezer for 3 months, ready when you are.

Serving Suggestions

These gingerbread cookies are great on their own or with a bit of creativity. Have fun enjoying them in different ways.

• Enjoy them with warm spiced tea or hot chocolate for a cozy winter treat.
• Use them as edible ornaments by adding a ribbon and hanging them on your Christmas tree.
• Make a cookie sandwich with cream cheese or vanilla frosting in the middle.
• Crush them up for a crunchy topping on ice cream or yogurt.

Conclusion

Little Debbie Gingerbread Cookies are a childhood favorite that have lasted for years. They are soft, rich in flavor, and beautifully decorated. These cookies make holiday celebrations more joyful and warm.

Deborah gathered five gingerbread cookie recipes from her family to keep their history alive.

But, the path of these cookies wasn’t always easy. Mistakes in the recipe over time changed it. Too much flour made the cookies very hard in just two days.

Deborah worked to fix the recipe. She wanted to bring back the bright red and green icing that was loved by many. Now, the recipe honors its original taste and the lessons learned from before.

Making Little Debbie Gingerbread Cookies with Deborah’s recipe brings back lovely memories. Or, you can make them your own way. They will remind you of happy times with family during the holidays. So, enjoy baking with your loved ones and relish these sweet treats. Happy baking!